i feel like a real idiot saying this,but I cant seem to make my kite fly upwind--its always downwind only......i absolutely HATE this and its very frustrating....today there was a 10 mph wind blowing north,and i would try to turn the kite to fly upwind,and the kite would just luff or die right there-someone please help me by the way--i'm flying a legend 5.5....maybe a different kite would have better upwind capabilities........

I dont know what you are trying to say.... What are you trying to do exactly? Is the kite luffing at the edge of the window? Are you just trying to fly it past the edge of the window? Need more info...


Unless you are referring to an upwind run with your board/buggy...

I don't know about the legend but most 5.5m kites should take you upwind at 10mph ?

Perhaps you are trying to either send the kite too far upwind or your buggy ?

The kite can only fly to the edge of the window. Any farther and the kite will lose air. Get the kite almost to the edge and find that spot that you are still holding power. Lean against that power and point your wheels a bit ( not straight ) upwind to keep the tension on the lines.

It is easier to get upwind if properly powered. Too little and too much create problems of there own. 10mph and 1 5.5 should be proper though ?

maybe if i keep it moving and higher,the wind window will be larger?? maybe i can go upwind then....i will be using this for buggying,but right now im just flying static so i can get used to this kite in alot of different winds.......yes,bladerunner,i'll try that tip tomorrow--thanks,i'll report back......dylan--i guess i was trying to fly it past the window and it died.....i'll keep trying until i get it.....stubborness is a virtue,i suppose

Run, Forrest, run!

Quote:

Originally posted by geojones i was trying to fly it past the window and it died

You can only push any given kite so far towards the edge of the window before it either stops going... or collapses. I have noticed that the cheaper the kite is... the more prone it is to collapse.... My ace luffed a lot more than my crossfire that luffs a lot easier than my blade... the blade has pulled me INTO the wind one time... it was pretty amazing really, but I dont think any other kite that I have flown has done that.

You need to be moving on a board/ buggy to go upwind... I dont think it will happen static.

i'll try going upwind in my buggy as soon as the snow melts--i think it will work itself out.....i guess flying static its pretty tough trying to go upwind.....might try it with my blade 4.0 if i can get up the courage:o

Hey Geo - I think you might be just a little confused but that's okay, we can sort you out. "Upwind" is usually defined something like: "moving a craft in a direction that is somewhat against the flow of the wind"

"Craft" in kiting being a buggy, kiteboard, skis, snowboard, atb, blades etc. There then technically isn't anything called "upwind" when flying static because you need to be moving along the ground on something.

Flying static, the wind window does not change and as such, there are only certain places you can fly your kite. Also, depending on where the kite is, the power being generated will change. I learned a TON from Coastal Windsports tutorial section when I was first starting out - so much that I borrowed it and made it into a booklet which I gave to my brother in law with his Legend at Xmas.

Tutorial Link

Study the section on the wind window and "reaches" (term used once you're moving) and you should come to realize that the kite is doing exactly what it should be when you get too far off to either side of you. Once you're moving it''l be almost like you're trying to keep moving forward enough that the kite never reaches that point where thus far you've found t just collapses and falls out of the sky.

Hope that helps. Tricky question to answer without sounding off, hope I didn't offend.

Having never actually even seen someone buggy in person, I have been trying to wrap my brain around how to do this. Macboy your post was very helpful and thanks for the link- I didn't realize coastal had these tutorials.

Bump to Angus and his website. EXCELLENT tutorials. Coastalwindsports.com

Here is something to try in the mean time.

Try sitting and flying the kite without looking at it . Practice sitting and then using a swoop of the kite through the power zone to assist getting up. Like a water start or snowboard start. Then practice running the situation out. Same sitting start but this time as you stand take a couple of steps toward the kite and then start running off to the side with a slight upwind course. The same course you would follow using a ride. You may have to fly the kite in a sine wave if the wind is too low. With good wind you should be able to park it at the edge and feel the pull. The trick is keeping tension on the lines.

This will teach you to : Not look at the kite. Feel the power zone. Keep tension on the fly lines. Park the kite while moving.

thank you,Macboy--yes, i have read the buggy tutorial and lift and pull,but i didnt look at the wind window--i guess i thought i didnt need to---im going to read it right after i write this.....and no,you didnt offend me--i'm grateful that there is so much help available here,and soon,when i finally know what i'm doing--it will be my turn to help......:singing: blade--good advice-i have been sitting trying to fly without looking and i feel its helping......i'll try the running upwind ----that will give me a feel for buggying upwind,i hope.......:wee: